Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks, Game 1: Phoenix Wins In Overtime, 3-2

Blackhawks Vs. Coyotes, Game 1: Mike Smith Providing Answers To Phoenix's Playoff Questions

Coming off the two most successful seasons in franchise history, Phoenix still hasn't made it past the first round since relocating to the desert in 1996. With Mike Smith between the pipes, the 'Yotes could be poised to still be standing once the second round rolls around.

Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Martin Hanzal Wins It In Overtime

The Phoenix Coyotes did not have a good third period. It resulted in a game-tying goal late by Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Brent Seabrook in the final minute, but the home team quickly responded once overtime began.

The Coyotes controlled the extra frame, possessing the puck in the Blackhawks zone for a large portion of OT, and 9:29 in, Martin Hanzal made it all pay off.

It was a strong keep at the blue line off the faceoff by Adrian Aucoin. Hanzal won the faceoff and made a dash for the net, and when Aucoin sent the puck towards Corey Crawford's crease, it was a simple deflection by Hanzal that gave Phoenix the 1-0 series lead.

Stick with SBNation.com for full series coverage. For more on the Coyotes, check in with Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the Blackhawks, check in with Second City Hockey and SB Nation Chicago.

Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks, Game 1 Overtime: Brent Seabrook Ties It Late For Chicago

Brent Seabrook is a defenseman. Defensemen don't park themselves on the attacking goal line. But Brent Seabrook is happy he did just that. The Chicago Blackhawk tied Game 1 against the Phoenix Coyotes with just 14.2 seconds remaining to send us to overtime at Jobing.com Arena.

The credit for the goal really has to go to Patrick Kane. No. 88 picked the puck up behind the net and had all the time in the world to make his way in front of the net to a prime shooting position. The Coyotes sat back too far and the Blackhawks got the opportune bounce, with Seabrook kicking the loose puck onto his stick and into the back of the basically-empty net.

Chicago really controlled the third period. They put 18 shots on Mike Smith's goal, and the netminder, who's been so strong for Phoenix all season long, stopped just about all of them. The Coyotes were pressing their luck and almost got away with it, but they'll have to try and grab some of the momentum back once overtime begins.

Free hockey!

For more on the Coyotes, check in with Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the Blackhawks, check in with Second City Hockey and SB Nation Chicago.

Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Antoine Vermette, Taylor Pyatt Give Phoenix 2-1 Lead

The Phoenix Coyotes used a strong second period shift to pin the Chicago Blackhawks in their own zone, tire them out and tie Game 1 of the Western Conference Quarterfinals at one goal apiece. The Blackhawks had several attempts to clear the puck on the shift but couldn't get the puck over the blue line, although it's possible the Coyotes had a little bit of help in that regard.

Too many men? It certainly looks like six Coyotes on the ice. Moments after this keep at the blue line, Taylor Pyatt scored to tie the game.

That goal looms large, of course. Phoenix completely controlled the play from that point on, generating scoring chances and forcing Corey Crawford to be strong in net. Then, 10 minutes later, Antoine Vermette scored to break the 1-1 tie.

That's how we enter the second intermission. 2-1 Coyotes.

For more on the Coyotes, check in with Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the Blackhawks, check in with Second City Hockey and SB Nation Chicago.

Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks, NHL Playoffs 2012 Game 1: Jonathan Toews Opens Scoring, Chicago Leads 1-0

It didn't take long for Jonathan Toews to make an impact in his first game back. 4:04 into the first period of Western Conference Quarterfinals Game 1 between his Chicago Blackhawks and the Phoenix Coyotes, Toews connected with Patrick Kane to open the scoring and give the Hawks a 1-0 lead.

That's where we sit after 20 minutes of play at Jobing.com Arena. The period was relatively even, with the Coyotes putting up 11 shots to the Blackhawks' eight, and Chicago goaltender Corey Crawford had to be solid on more than one occasion.

Things got a little chippy late in the period as the teams tried to set the tone in the first period of what could very well be a long, brutal series.

For more on the Coyotes, check in with Five For Howling and SB Nation Arizona. For more on the Blackhawks, check in with Second City Hockey and SB Nation Chicago.

Jonathan Toews Set To Return From Concussion For Blackhawks Vs. Coyotes Game 1

Jonathan Toews will be in the lineup for the first time in two months on Thursday night when the Chicago Blackhawks hit the desert ice to take on the Phoenix Coyotes in Game 1 of the Western Conference quarterfinals.

Toews announced the news to the media at Jobing.com Arena in Phoenix.

Chicago's captain has been out since Feb. 19 with a head injury, a total of 22 games missed. He'll be on a scary-good line with Patrick Kane and Marian Hossa in Game 1, and while he might not be 100 percent in shape when it comes to conditioning and game awareness after missing so much time, there's no doubt that line will be expected to generate plenty of offense on Thursday night against the defensively strong Coyotes.

Stick with SBNation.com for full coverage of Blackhawks vs. Coyotes. For more from the Chicago perspective, check in with Blackhawks blog Second City Hockey, and for more from the Phoenix perspective, check in with Coyotes blog Five For Howling.

NHL Playoffs 2012, Coyotes Vs. Blackhawks Game 1: Game Time, TV Schedule And More

Beating the Blackhawks will be a difficult task for the first-time division champion Coyotes -- even more so with the return of Jonathan Toews.